Getting Oriented
Stavanger sits along the southwest coast of Norway, directly south of Bergen. The small city offers the best of Norway, as it's perched on both the coast and at the mouth of Lysefjord, one of the most popular fjords in the country. You have easy access to famed hikes like Kjerag Boulder and Pulpit Rock, plus charming fjord hamlets like Flørli. Many visitors opt to use Stavanger as a hub to explore this region of Norway.
Explore the City
Although Stavanger's surrounding region is its biggest perk, it's still a charming and historic city. Spend some time walking its cobbled streets and admiring the old wooden houses.
Explore Stavanger like a Local
Explore the historic and cobbled streets of Stavanger with the help of a local. This lively university city offers a surprising amount, including a beloved coffee culture, a historic old town, a colorful and artsy street (Øvre Holmegate), and a quiet reprieve near the harbor (Skagenkaien). The city is also home to beautiful beaches and Norway's famous swords at Hafrsfjord. Read More
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Enjoy a Day Hike
With Stavanger set close to the fjords, you can easily add a day hike to your itinerary. Luckily, the city acts as the perfect hub for some of the most popular hikes in Norway!
Pulpit Rock Hike
Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) is one of the most beloved hikes in Norway, as it's accessible for a range of abilities and offers some of the country's best scenery. It's a moderately challenging hike but not as tough as some of the other fjord treks. The route takes you to the famously flat and perpendicular rock, which rises 1,981 feet (604 m) above the Lysefjord. Savor the incredible views from the top before starting the hike back down. Learn more
Skomakarnibbå Day Hike
Combine hiking and culture in this day hike to Skomakarnibbå, a rocky outcrop once home to a traveling shoemaker, or so legend has it. Along the way, you'll stop at Hagalid Mountain Farm, a sheep and Christmas tree farm with historic buildings, an art gallery, and a café. At the top of the hike, enjoy views of Ullsvikjuvet Gorge, Jøsenfjord, and the surrounding islands and mountains of Ryfylke. The rock sits about 2,300 feet (700 m) above Jøsenfjord. Learn more
Hike Kjerag Boulder
Hike Norway's famous Kjerag Boulder, departing from Stavanger to beat the tourist crowds. You'll start with a cruise through Lysefjord's steep mountain walls while passing waterfalls, abandoned farms, and Preikestolen (Norway's famous Pulpit Rock). Then a car will take you up 26 hairpin turns to the trailhead, where you'll start the steep and strenuous hike. At the top, you'll enjoy panoramic views from atop the tallest mountain in the region. Learn more
Discover the Fjord Scenery
It's one thing to absorb the views from above and another to savor the fjord experience from the water. Lysefjord offers cruises, hikes, waterfalls, and visits to charming villages.
Flørli Hike & Lysefjord Cruise
Once home to a hydroelectric power plant, Flørli has transformed itself into a tourist destination. Its biggest draw is the steep and challenging hike following 4,444 wooden steps parallel to old water pipes along the mountainside. At almost 2,500 feet (750 m), this is the longest wooden staircase in the world! To get to and from Flørli, you'll enjoy a scenic cruise through Lysefjord, passing waterfalls, abandoned farms, and Preikestolen, Norway's famous Pulpit Rock, along the way. Learn more
Månafossen Waterfall Hike
A hike to Månafossen Waterfall includes a few other cultural experiences. You'll start with a scenic drive to the trailhead, followed by your trek to the mighty cascade, which plunges 300 feet (92 m) into the canyon below. Continue to the lush valley of Fidjadal to enjoy a snack and explore a deserted mountain farm. Next, visit the artsy town of Byrkjedalstunet, known as a miniature version of Norway, and enjoy lunch at a café. On the way back, stop at Gloppedalsura, a large boulder scree used in World War II, and the Viking memorial site Swords in Rock. Learn more
How to Craft the Perfect Stavanger Itinerary
Most likely, you'll fly in and out of Oslo or Bergen, which makes Stavanger an easy addition to any itinerary. As mentioned above, many visitors use the quaint city as a hub to explore the nearby fjord region. Stavanger also pairs nicely with the other two southern cities or with a northern or inland adventure.
If you'd like to stick to Stavanger for your trip, you need four or five days to enjoy the area. But if you'd like to combine the city with another region (such as some other towns or fjords), give yourself at least one week. Read more about how long to stay in Norway and how to pack for any adventure.
Past kimkim travelers have enjoyed the following itineraries that include Stavanger: